What is a Carbon Footprint?

Simply put, your carbon footprint is the sum total of all the Greenhouse Gas emissions produced by what you do and what you consume. The place you live, the clothes you wear, the food you eat, that cup of morning coffee, and the car you drive all add to your carbon footprint and overall impact we each have on the environment.

The term “Carbon Footprint” typically includes all greenhouse gases associated with a product or activity. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulphur hexafluoride, and a wide range of emissions which have weaker but still cumulative effects such as Vollital Organic Compounds (VOC’s). Carbon Dioxide is typically the largest emission by volume; however, many of the other greenhouse gases have significantly greater impact, known as Global Warming Potential (GWP) than carbon dioxide. When calculating your Carbon Footprint, BLUEdot uses carbon dioxide equivalents established by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change as well as the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

The Anthropocene Epoch

There is a consensus among 97% of climatologist that human activities are likely responsible for most of the observed increase in global mean temperature ("global warming") since the mid-20th century. Human-induced warming of the climate is expected to continue throughout the 21st century and beyond. This phenomenon is reflected in the definition of our current geologic period as the Anthropocene epoch meaning a geological period in which the earth’s ecosystems are significantly impacted by a single species.

BLUEdot Register believes now is the time for change. The environmental perspectives alone are compelling, but when we compare our growing global energy demands with our shrinking fossil fuel resources, there is even more reason to engage. Whichever way you want to look at it – environmental need or long-term energy security, the time is now for all of us to take responsibility for our impact on the world and to contribute towards our future.